Washington Governor Calls State Tax System 'Old Jalopy'

Washington Governor Jay Inslee says the state’s tax system is outdated and insufficient to cover expenses. The Democrat made his comments Tuesday at the release of his proposed update to Washington’s two-year budget.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee says the state’s tax system is outdated and insufficient to cover expenses.

Credit Thomas Sorenes / Wikimedia

“And as a result of the antiquated fiscal situation in the state of Washington, the demands for services by our citizens are significantly outstripping the ability of this old jalopy to produce the mechanism for providing those services,” Inslee says.

Inslee says he will continue to push for the elimination of what he calls “unproductive tax loopholes.” Senate budget chair Andy Hill, a Republican, called tax increases the “easy” solution. Instead he’s banking on future revenues from other sources.

“Marijuana is one place we have revenues coming in, internet sales tax, we need work at the federal level we think eventually we will get that, and if you continue to look at reprioritizing your spending I think there are ways to get there,” Hill says.

The debate Tuesday is the latest development in an ongoing discussion in Olympia about taxes and spending. In the meantime, Inslee and lawmakers plan some minor tweaks to the current two-year budget when the legislature convenes this January.